FIOS TV pixellation fix - attenuate to SNR 31

Hopefully someone can help me out. I installed a 6db attenuator when I first got them and everything seemed fine. 0 Corrected and 0 uncorrected RS errors. Today I suddenly noticed one of my HD channels was pixelating constantly and sure enough the RS Uncorrected errors was spiking significantly. I installed another 3db attenuator and now I'm not seeing any RS Uncorrected errors however, I'm seeing a lot of RS Corrected errors. For example, in 553 seconds I've had 4900+ RS corrected errors. Should I be concerned about this? I also can't attenuate to SNR 31 exactly. It hovers between 31-34db. If I put any more attenuators on it begins to pixelate bad and go into the mid 20's.

I find 32/33 is better overall for all channels than 31. 31 left UHD and Discovery HD Theater at 28/29 which was totally unwatchable. 32/33 leaves everything between 31 and 34 which works just fine for me. It definitely was not exponential as tuning down 1 or 2 put a few channels down 3 or 4. Trial and error.

I've had FIOS with my S3 since last summer with no problems until past few weeks - severe pixelation on some channels not others that did not occur with the Verizon STB I also have. Tech came out and attenuated my signal which seemed to fix it. But I still have some problems on different channels... funny thing is I noticed in the diagnostics screen that one tuner has no problems on some channels and the other has a lot on the same channel (RS uncorrected skyrockets and severe pixelation). Does this sound like now I have a bad cable card on top of the other problem that I thought was fixed? Not looking forward to have to set up another appt for a new cable card install. Or does anyone think since I had a long period of no problems and nothing seems to have changed on Verizon's end that my S3 might be the problem?

I've had FIOS with my S3 since last summer with no problems until past few weeks - severe pixelation on some channels not others that did not occur with the Verizon STB I also have. Tech came out and attenuated my signal which seemed to fix it. But I still have some problems on different channels... funny thing is I noticed in the diagnostics screen that one tuner has no problems on some channels and the other has a lot on the same channel (RS uncorrected skyrockets and severe pixelation). Does this sound like now I have a bad cable card on top of the other problem that I thought was fixed? Not looking forward to have to set up another appt for a new cable card install. Or does anyone think since I had a long period of no problems and nothing seems to have changed on Verizon's end that my S3 might be the problem?

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You may need more attenuation. As far as I know, CableCards do not cause RS Uncorrected errors, which is how TiVo measures the errors causing pixelization and dropouts.

It's best to buy your own $12 attenuator pack from Smarthome rather than asking Verizon to come out. That way, you can find just the right amount of attenuation that you need.

You may need more attenuation. As far as I know, CableCards do not cause RS Uncorrected errors, which is how TiVo measures the errors causing pixelization and dropouts.

It's best to buy your own $12 attenuator pack from Smarthome rather than asking Verizon to come out. That way, you can find just the right amount of attenuation that you need.

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So its possible that the current level of attenuation is good for one cable card but not the other? In other words for example channel 99 works fine on one cable card/tuner but is horribly pixelated on the other. I have some extra attenuators that the verizon tech left for me to play around with if I had other problems, but I would expect that the signal should affect both cable cards the same, but I could be wrong. Thanks for any advice!

Well I don't quite understand it, but I changed around the attenuation some more and now channel 99 works on both tuners... the verizon tech had put on an 8 and a 6 resulting in SNR of 27 on the tuner that was having problems with 99 and 29 on the other. I changed it to an 8 and a 3 now one is at 30 the other at 31 and so far so good. Thanks to whoever figured this out - the verizon tech seemed to realize a too hot signal was the problem, but did not about the tivo diagnostics screen.

I have FIOS and am using a Series 3 and two TiVo HDs with S-cards. This morning on the Series 3 the reception of Fox Soccer Channel deteriorated to the point that nothing was being received. On the diagnostic screen it appeared that the TiVo was unable to get a signal lock and the modulation indication kept changing from QAM-256 to QAM-64. After about 25 or 30 minutes, during which I did nothing, the channel finally came in and was mostly watchable after that. Since I was recording the program on one of the TiVo HDs in another room I assumed that when I watched the recording I would see the same problem as the Series 3. However, the recording was perfect with no signal loss or pixellation. Does this sound like a 'too hot' signal or is it more likely a problem with my Series 3? BTW, I've seen pixellation before on the Series 3 but I don't recall ever losing the signal completely.

I have done the reccomnended fix, putting on 10DB antenuator, whch fixes my pixelation on the majority of my channels. However, there are a few remaining channels that I watch a lot that have major problems still (ABC HD). My SNR is at 31/32, but I have RS correct numbers/RS uncorrected numbers in the 500-5000 range most of the time on that one channel. I have tried resetting my tivo, that didn't work. I have a good strong signal according at the verizon cable guy. Why is this still happening on this certain channel? Any sugesstions?

Welcome to the forum and sorry you're having trouble, it can be frustrating indeed. The problem is that your signal may be too strong which is just as bad as one that is too weak. Verizon assumes the stronger the signal the better. That's why an attenuator works for some folks...it reduces or "attenuates" the signal strength.

Welcome to the forum and sorry you're having trouble, it can be frustrating indeed. The problem is that your signal may be too strong which is just as bad as one that is too weak. Verizon assumes the stronger the signal the better. That's why an attenuator works for some folks...it reduces or "attenuates" the signal strength.

As rifleman69 suggests, additional experimentation may be in order.

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I have tried every possible antenoator combo and I seem to still have this problem. I've narrowed it down to the 9/10DB strength level, that brings down my SNR number to 32/33. I still can't get rid of the RS corrected and RS Uncorrected numbers to go away on some channels. Most of the channels are fine, but some, including some major HD channels, like ABC HD, Universal HD, Discovery HD Theater, are still having pixelation problems. My signal stength says it's around 75. Is there anything else I can do to fix this, or I may have to go back to my old verizon cable box, since it wasn't a problem there.

I have tried every possible antenoator combo and I seem to still have this problem. I've narrowed it down to the 9/10DB strength level, that brings down my SNR number to 32/33. I still can't get rid of the RS corrected and RS Uncorrected numbers to go away on some channels. Most of the channels are fine, but some, including some major HD channels, like ABC HD, Universal HD, Discovery HD Theater, are still having pixelation problems. My signal stength says it's around 75. Is there anything else I can do to fix this, or I may have to go back to my old verizon cable box, since it wasn't a problem there.

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It sounds like you've done everything you can do to address the signal issue. I'd have a look at the cable cards next. There have been reports for months of cable cards being faulty (particularly Scientific Atlanta cards) and especially with slot #1. Many have had numerous cable cards installed before they worked without issue. I can't remember if you said which TiVo you have, but if you have the TiVo HD, some folks are switching from two "S" cards to an "M" card and seeing results.

When we moved recently our cable guy brought about a dozen cards with him saying that some work and some don't...and that getting them to work was kind of a Russian roulette game. Fortunately two "S" cards worked right away with our S3 and a new "M" card worked fine with our THD.

Anyway, that would be my next step. It's also quite possible that your TiVo is just not doing what it's supposed to do and may need to be replaced. You might get a case started with TiVo. Sometimes they'll arrange a three-way call with you and Verizon to try to sort things out.

I have tried every possible antenoator combo and I seem to still have this problem. I've narrowed it down to the 9/10DB strength level, that brings down my SNR number to 32/33. I still can't get rid of the RS corrected and RS Uncorrected numbers to go away on some channels. Most of the channels are fine, but some, including some major HD channels, like ABC HD, Universal HD, Discovery HD Theater, are still having pixelation problems. My signal stength says it's around 75. Is there anything else I can do to fix this, or I may have to go back to my old verizon cable box, since it wasn't a problem there.

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Call TiVo and explain your problem. Another thing to note (at least for me) is that a single 12db attenuator had more signal degradation than a 10 and a 3. My picture was better at 32/33 than 31. You might also have Verizon come out and turn down the signal a bit on the ONT that's on your house.

Well, the Verizon cable guy came out today, and he said I should not be using any attenuators at all, that just makes the problem worse. I agree with him, because ever since I started using them, my picture has gotten worse, and even doesn't come in on certain channels, and that's with just 8db on. He boosted the signal strength, which as temporarily solved the pixelation, but we will see how long it lasts. He also changed a splitter and wiring in our hose, and said that may have been the cause. I will monitor the progrees the next few days, and hopefully the problem has been fixed, but after many tries, and 4 different cable appointments, I am not sure it is completely gone.

Well, the Verizon cable guy came out today, and he said I should not be using any attenuators at all, that just makes the problem worse. I agree with him, because ever since I started using them, my picture has gotten worse, and even doesn't come in on certain channels, and that's with just 8db on. He boosted the signal strength, which as temporarily solved the pixelation, but we will see how long it lasts. He also changed a splitter and wiring in our hose, and said that may have been the cause. I will monitor the progrees the next few days, and hopefully the problem has been fixed, but after many tries, and 4 different cable appointments, I am not sure it is completely gone.

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Good to hear things are looking up.

Curious as to what you're seeing for SNR on various channels now that the signal has been increased.

Also noted that a number of folks have resolved problems by replacing coax and/or splitters (or removing splitters altogether) and that others were successful with attenuators. It's obvious that there's no obvious "silver bullet".

I started seeing some pixellation after my install, so I installed a 10 and a 6 attenuator (the SNR was around 35-36). It dropped to about 33 and for the most part, the problems went away. However, I've been noticing that some times the audio part drops out for a second or two (video stays unaffected). When this happens, I go to the diagnostic screen to look, but there wasn't any uncorrected errors.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

The audio dropouts seem to happen when I change to certain channels. And then the dropouts only last about 5 minutes. So if I'm watching a hour long show, I'll only have problems for about the first 5 minutes. Then it's fine.

Curious as to what you're seeing for SNR on various channels now that the signal has been increased.

Also noted that a number of folks have resolved problems by replacing coax and/or splitters (or removing splitters altogether) and that others were successful with attenuators. It's obvious that there's no obvious "silver bullet".

Thanks for the feedback and best of luck.

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Well, after 2 days of the problem going away, it is slowly, but surely returning again. My SNR number is at 35/36 on all of my channels, and I have 0 RS corrected numbers and 0 RS uncorrected numbers. I am only getting pixelation on about 3/4 of my HD channels, but after the cable guy came two days ago, it was fine on all channels. I have a feeling that it will progressively get worse again. When the cable guy came, I told him that Tivo said my cable cards are activated, but not paired up, and he said he had no clue what that means. He also said that the attenuators are making my problem worse, and that RS corrected numbers are not causing this either. I am really doubting the knowledge of Tivo and Verizon at this point, because both have been giving me the runaround for weeks. I am at a loss at to what I should do next. I am am considering even returning Tivo, and just going back to the regular verizon HD box. Any last minute advice?